Houston Rockets Show No Effort in Loss

The Houston Rockets‘ lack of effort cost them the game again, with a 107-98 loss to the Denver Nuggets Friday, in the Pepsi Center.

The Rockets started the game missing more lay-ups than a YMCA little league team. Although James Harden got off to a fast start with 11 in his first nine minutes, but the rest of his team shot 18.8 percent from the field.

Not only did they struggle offensively, but on the defensive end as well. If fans did not think it could get any worse during the first half, Patrick Beverley left the game midway in the second with a left ankle injury.

Pat Beverley leaving in a walking boot and crutches on sprained left ankle.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 14, 2015

However, in the second half, The Rockets picked up their defensive intensity and played more team basketball, but the Nuggets continue to out play Houston on both ends of the court.

Rockets Player Grades

Best Reserve

Terrence Jones stuffs Kenneth Faried on consecutive shots. https://t.co/NlM4DXJcO4

— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 14, 2015

Best Opponent:

3 Things We Saw

Second Chance Points & Rebounding:The Nuggets do not have an elite big man, and still outrebounded the Rockets 56-48 Friday night. Houston also continued to give up too many second chance points. For the season, The Rockets are giving up 16.2 second chance points per game, and against Denver gave up 15 points in the first half.

 Bad Shot selections  When will the Rockets learn to stop taking so many 3-point shots, and drop it inside to the low post. In the first half they shot 25 percent from three, and ended the game shooting 9-29 from downtown. When the Rockets started taking the ball inside more, they cut the lead down to one. However, once they starting shooting 3-point shots again, they fell behind 100-89 late in the fourth. The Rockets have to learn how to take more high percentage shots and stop relying on the 3-point shot so much.

Defense:“Oh where, oh where, has their defense gone? Oh where, oh where, can it be?”The Rockets are playing some of their worse defense in years. There were moments where they stood around on defense and watch the Nuggets take wide open shots, and give up clear lanes to the basket for easy dunks. The Lack of defense is the main reason Houston came up short in this game.

Next: Missing Motiejunas

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